Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Friday revealed in a video clip that he has tested positive for coronavirus and will remain in isolation in Downing Street.
A Downing Street spokesperson said: “After experiencing mild symptoms yesterday, the Prime Minister was tested for coronavirus on the personal advice of England’s Chief Medical Officer, Professor Chris Whitty”.
“The test was carried out in No 10 by NHS staff and the result of the test was positive. In keeping with the guidance, the Prime Minister is self-isolating in Downing Street. He is continuing to lead the government’s response to coronavirus.”
Johnson, 55, said he is “now working from home”, but will remain in charge of the government’s coronavirus response.
Earlier this week Downing Street announced that if the Prime Minister were to fall ill in the coronavirus pandemic, foreign secretary Dominic Raab will take charge of the UK government.
Johnson said in the video message: “I want to bring you up to speed on something that’s happening today which is that I’ve developed mild symptoms of the coronavirus. That’s to say – a temperature and a persistent cough.
“And, on the advice of the Chief Medical Officer, I’ve taken a test. That has come out positive. So I am working from home. I’m self-isolating. And that’s entirely the right thing to do. But be in no doubt that I can continue, thanks to the wizardry of modern technology, to communicate with all my top team to lead the national fightback against coronavirus”.
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